Yuvraj Singh teases Abhishek Sharma after his 35-ball century against New Zealand

Abhishek Sharma came close to matching one of Indian cricket’s most remarkable T20 records during India’s third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington, but his mentor Yuvraj Singh was quick to remind him of the milestone he missed. After Abhishek smashed a breathtaking century off just 35 balls, Yuvraj delivered a playful challenge on social media, asking why the explosive left-hander still could not score a half-century in 12 deliveries.

Abhishek, however, had a straightforward response. The young India opener admitted that reaching 50 off just 12 balls is far from easy, even for a batter enjoying a purple patch. His century helped India secure a six-wicket victory over New Zealand, earning him the Player of the Match award and further strengthening his reputation as one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket.

The exchange between the two left-handers offered a glimpse into their mentor-student relationship, with Yuvraj’s humour adding another memorable moment to Abhishek’s remarkable performance.

Yuvraj Singh’s playful challenge after Abhishek Sharma’s century

Yuvraj Singh knows exactly what it takes to score a T20I half-century in just 12 balls. During the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the former India all-rounder smashed six sixes in an over against England’s Stuart Broad, reaching his half-century in only 12 deliveries.

That unforgettable innings established Yuvraj’s place in T20 history and remains the benchmark for India’s fastest half-century in men’s T20 internationals.

Nearly two decades later, Abhishek came close to matching that extraordinary achievement against New Zealand. The left-hander reached his fifty in 15 balls before accelerating further to complete his century in just 35 deliveries.

Soon after Abhishek’s hundred, Yuvraj took to X to congratulate the young batter while also reminding him about the record.

“You still can’t get 50 off 12, can you @OfficialAbhi04! Looks like two left-handers batting in their backyard!” Yuvraj wrote.

The message was clearly playful, reflecting the bond between the former India star and the explosive opener he has mentored over the past few years.

Abhishek Sharma responds to his mentor

Abhishek did not attempt to match Yuvraj’s record with a bold promise. Instead, he acknowledged how difficult it is to produce such an extraordinary scoring burst, even when conditions favour aggressive batting.

“I don’t know what cricket he was playing back at that time, but it’s not that easy at all,” Abhishek said during the presentation ceremony.

He explained that scoring 50 runs in 12 balls is not something batters can simply decide to achieve. Such performances require the right combination of preparation, execution, conditions and opportunities.

“You can’t just go and score 50 off 12 balls. It just happens once in a while,” he added.

Abhishek also made it clear that individual records are not the primary objective when he walks out to bat for India. His priority is to provide the team with an aggressive start and put the opposition under pressure from the opening overs.

“As a batter, we don’t go for that milestone. We always want to win the game for the team,” he said.

That approach helps explain why Abhishek’s innings was about more than chasing Yuvraj’s record. His rapid scoring gave India the momentum required to complete a successful chase and continue their strong run in the series.

Preparation behind Abhishek’s explosive batting

Abhishek also credited India’s coaching staff for helping him develop the confidence to play his natural attacking game. According to the opener, extensive practice against sidearm deliveries has played an important role in preparing him for the pace and bounce he encounters in international cricket.

Sidearm practice involves coaches or throwdown specialists delivering the ball at high speed using a training aid, allowing batters to work on their reactions, timing and shot selection.

Abhishek explained that he considers the pitch, ground dimensions and the bowlers he faces before deciding which shots to play. This preparation allows him to attack without abandoning his awareness of the match situation.

His approach is particularly valuable in T20 cricket, where the powerplay provides an opportunity to score quickly while fielding restrictions remain in place. An opener who can dominate those overs can change the pressure on the opposition and give the middle order a stronger platform.

The combination of preparation and instinct has become a defining feature of Abhishek’s batting. Rather than treating every delivery as an opportunity to hit a boundary, he looks to identify the bowler’s strengths and weaknesses before committing to his shots.

Abhishek Sharma and Yuvraj Singh share a special bond

The connection between Abhishek and Yuvraj extends beyond a few exchanges on social media. Both players come from Punjab, bat left-handed and share an aggressive approach that has made them exciting to watch.

Yuvraj, one of India’s greatest limited-overs all-rounders, has played an important mentoring role in Abhishek’s development. His experience of performing under pressure at major international tournaments offers valuable lessons for a young batter establishing himself on the world stage.

For Abhishek, the challenge now is to turn his extraordinary hitting ability into consistent performances against the world’s leading bowling attacks. His 35-ball century against New Zealand demonstrated how quickly he can take a game away from the opposition, while his comments showed an understanding that team success matters more than personal milestones.

Yuvraj’s 12-ball fifty remains a special achievement, but Abhishek has already begun creating his own identity in Indian cricket. If he continues combining fearless strokeplay with disciplined preparation, more record-breaking performances could follow.

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